Chapter 281: Republic of China: Starting from Whampoa Phase 1, Chapter 281: De Gong Calms His Anger

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

After the operational meeting ended, Lv Muzhi sent the three divisions of the First Army east to Linyi, achieving the goal of deceiving Isogaya's division on the north side.

The three division commanders of the Youth First Army were Liao Yaoxiang, Chu Yunfei, and Chen Minren respectively.

Among them, Chen Minren, commander of the Third Division, was a student of Lv Muzhi from Whampoa Class 1, and during the Whampoa Eastern Expedition he also achieved remarkable military exploits, once being the first to scale the walls of Huizhou City, and the old man himself had personally commended him.

However, Chen Minren's promotions later slowed somewhat, and until the start of the War of Resistance he was only the commander of an ordinary infantry division.

Therefore, Lv Muzhi invited this old classmate of his to fill the remaining vacancy of a division commander, which could be considered knowing him inside and out.

The Youth First Army pretended to advance east to Linyi, while the Youth Second Army should have marched south to strike the Japanese Thirteenth Division, but Lv Muzhi temporarily kept the Second Army behind.

The Japanese Thirteenth Division had not yet easily crossed the Huai River; if the Second Army rashly marched south, it would easily startle the snake, allowing the devils of the Thirteenth Division to escape.

Sun Liren, commander of the Fifth Division of the Second Army, was a new member of the Youth Army, and at this moment he was already anxious to march south and meet the Thirteenth Division.

"Xuzhou is far from Bengbu; I'm really afraid that once we move out, the Thirteenth Division will detect us in advance and run away!"

Qiu Qingquan, commander of the Second Army, said: "Don't be impatient; don't forget we are stationed right on the Tianjin-Pukou Railway Line. Depart at night, and by daytime the next day we can appear before the Thirteenth Division!"

Zhang Fei, deputy commander of the Second Army and commander of the Fourth Division, also laughed: "That's right, no need to rush. Let the Thirteenth Division taste some sweetness first; when we suddenly appear before the devils, we'll scare them to death!"

Hearing everyone's words, Sun Liren realized he was indeed a bit impatient: "Sigh, I really want to avenge that arrow from the Battle of Songhu!"

Saying this, Sun Liren raised his arm, which had not yet fully healed—that was the wound he had sustained in the Battle of Songhu.

Zhou Weiguo laughed: "Commander Sun, once your injury heals, I'll teach you to drive our tanks. Then you'll know just how unobstructed our tanks are on this plain!"

Sun Liren immediately became interested: "If you put it that way, then my injury is completely healed. Today—oh no, right now, please Deputy Division Commander Zhou, take me along!"

Everyone laughed heartily. Lv Muzhi walked in and announced the latest orders for the Second Army.

"Although our railway mobilization is fast, we still need a vanguard to reach the battlefield first. The Second Army can send two reinforced regiments to move ahead, advancing on foot toward the Thirteenth Division facing us, one on the left and one on the right."

"The soldiers of these two reinforced regiments must remove all Youth Army markings from their persons. Most importantly, none are allowed to wear steel helmets. They will march under the designation of the Northwest Army, disguising themselves as a weak unit to support friendly forces to the south, and then cooperate in annihilating the Thirteenth Division!"

Qiu Qingquan immediately stepped forward: "Yes! I'll go arrange it right away!"

A staff officer walked over and said: "Lu Commander, Commander Li requests your presence at the War Zone Headquarters for lunch."

"Fine, I'll go in a moment."

Lv Muzhi also had the troops prepare enough trains and locomotives, so they could mobilize by train to the combat area at any time.

At lunchtime, on a table at the War Zone Headquarters, four dishes and one soup were laid out on an Eight Immortals Table.

Li Zongren personally picked up a teapot and poured tea for Lv Muzhi.

"Wei Yue, try this Bu Quan Xishan Tea from my hometown," Li Zongren said, sitting down and raising his own cup. "It may not compare to Longjing or Biluochun, but it is equally sweet and refreshing, aiding digestion and relieving greasiness."

Lv Muzhi raised his cup and took a sip. "Good tea. De Gong still has the mind to taste tea at a time like this—he truly can keep his composure."

"Battles must be fought, meals must be eaten, and tea must be drunk," Li Zongren said, also picking up a piece of cured meat bought from a farmer's home.

Three people ate this meal: two upper generals and one lieutenant general.

The two upper generals were Lv Muzhi and Li Zongren; the lieutenant general was Xu Zu Yi, Chief of Staff of the Fifth War Zone.

The three were eating lunch when hurried footsteps came from outside the door.

The Director of the Confidential Office held a telegram in his hand, his expression somewhat off. He walked to the table, stood at attention, and said: "Urgent telegram from the northern front."

Li Zongren put down his chopsticks: "Read it."

"Tang Army Corps reports: The enemy facing us at Jining is firing fiercely. To seize the initiative, our forces have already retreated south into the Zoucheng line according to plan, luring the enemy deeper..."

Chief of Staff Xu Zu Yi immediately stood up, took the telegram, and said: "Tang Enbo is cutting corners again! He was ordered to hold for five days, and he's retreated after just one day. Although it's said to be executing the plan to lure the enemy deeper, given the strength of the Tang Army Corps, retreating so quickly—won't Isogaya's division see through the ruse?"

With a clatter, Li Zongren slammed his rice bowl heavily onto the table. The anger in his eyes could not be suppressed, and the white rice in the bowl jumped out.

Seeing this, Lv Muzhi urged: "De Gong, calm your anger."

Li Zongren stood up: "I ordered Tang Enbo to hold for at least five days! It's only been one day! He keeps discounting the orders of the War Zone Headquarters. How can this war be fought? Who gave him the gall!"

The Director of the Confidential Office kept his head lowered and said: "It is said that the Supreme Commander directly ordered Tang Enbo that the Twentieth Army Group should retreat south and stay close to the Sichuan Army, to avoid being completely annihilated by Isogaya's division."

Li Zongren said: "How again... From now on, without my and Wei Yue's orders, not a single soldier of the Fifth War Zone is allowed to mobilize beyond their level!"

Xu Zu Yi said softly: "The Supreme Commander has always had this temper. You don't know..."

Li Zongren directly interrupted: "Don't bother with him. A general in the field need not accept the sovereign's orders!"

Lv Muzhi thought for a moment and said: "It can still be remedied now. Send a telegram to Tang Enbo: Zoucheng must be held for two days. If even one hour is lacking, delaying the operational plan against Isogaya's division, he will be dealt with by military law!"

The Director of the Confidential Office responded: "Yes!"

Xu Zu Yi looked at Lv Muzhi, then at Li Zongren, and probed: "How about we adjust our deployment? Previously the Tang Army Corps was in front and the Sichuan Army's Twenty-Second Group Army was behind. Now let's switch their positions. Tang Enbo and the old man shouldn't have any objections, right?"

Li Zongren's attitude remained unchanged: "How could that be? Originally it was Tang Enbo's army corps in front. Doing this would make the intention too obvious. The Sichuan Army was invited by me and Wei Yue from the Second War Zone. Doing this would chill the hearts of friendly forces. How would other units view it?"

"But Tang Enbo's Twentieth Army Group directly obeys the Supreme Commander. Our issuing him three orders and five prohibitions here may not be of any use."

"I'm afraid that after switching positions, the Sichuan Army will be dissatisfied. Monkey see, monkey do, and then the entire plan will be thrown into chaos."

Hearing this, Lv Muzhi stood up directly: "I'll go to the northern front to command directly."

Li Zongren and Xu Zu Yi both looked at him.

"I will go to coordinate the Sichuan Army's Twenty-Second Group Army and Tang Enbo's Twentieth Army Group in my capacity as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Fifth War Zone."

"As for the Sichuan Army side, I have some friendship with their commanders, so speaking is convenient. As for Tang Enbo's side, both he and I belong to the Central Government."

"I will personally go to urge these two forces and ensure the plan is implemented smoothly!"